Venezia – Constant Activity
If this city put a profile out on a dating app, the responses might overwhelm the site.
The nickname of this formal naval power is La Serenissima. It boasts the relics of one of the more famous saints, Mark along with one of the most unique old-world cathedrals of any city. The orientation of the city and needing to navigate around countless waterways is its own unique experience. It is not a sleepy little northern town. If you disregard the theaters and museums, you still face a myriad of “biannual” festivals, ranging from film to architecture to fashion.
There is pure bliss in finding you’ve walked the right set of turns, managed to get directly to bridges or water-bus stops and that your feet will live another day. Next, you take it up a notch. You remembered your route, but can you get there faster?
When was the last time you took a bus, much less a water bus?
If you enjoy classical paintings, the Venetian masters produced exceptional works, and unlike its art-wielding big brother Firenze, there was significant city pride exhibited portrayals of major naval battles and progress of the formation of the city.
Every two years the city hosts its Biennale – an art festival so large, it takes several days to view all the venues (https://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2026/information).
More than any other place, a proper pair of walking shoes makes the difference.
And, compared to Firenze, Roma or Milano, the number of formal sites on your checklist will be limited. The standard list is the Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale), Correr Civic museum, St. Mark’s Cathedral, L’Accademia museum, and the Guggenheim museum. I would strongly suggest getting lost and finding your way to Scuola Grande di San Rocco that is the home to two floors (and a ceiling) of Tintoretto’s big works. Should you prefer to test your navigational skills, give Ca’ Pesaro art museum a try.
Not only can you have long days here, depending the time of year, you can feel the maritime cold to your core or experience the al forno heat of the summer.
There is a guarantee you will learn some Italian if you experience the “flooding” or extreme high tides known as aqua alta that strikes the city, primarily in late fall or early winter. (It does not affect the entire city – but probably places you are trying to go.) A weather check or adequate planning will make your trip so pleasant you will leave learning fewer swear words.
Some closing words are that your trip requires a little preparation, from checking if there are large city-wide events, weather, understanding where your accommodations are before you arrive, as well as some local vocabulary – even if you’ve been to Italy before, Venice is a different experience.
The best value of anything I found was the Alilaguna boat trip from the airport to the city, which provides dramatic views and an authentic feel of life on the water.
Some respect: October 7, 1574 was a significant day in the history of the Venetians. While Firenze was engaged in Renaissance gymnastics, the Venetians, with the addition of Spain and other holy war crusaders met the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Lepanto (Venice had owned Cypress which is located outside of Greece during this period) which was an epic maritime event. Its legend is depicted in a few paintings.